To access or transfer files between devices using your iPhone you have quite a few options at the app store. Lets take a look at six iPhone apps allowing you to access or transfer your files from iPhone to iPhone or from iPhone to your Mac or Desktop. App to app the list of capabilities are in wide range between Media Share, DropCopy, GoogleDocs, iStorage, AirSharing and Briefcase.

Functions are similar but depending on the level of access you require and the types of files you need to view you should examine closer which one will best suit your needs. You can share or transfer file types such as; mp3, mov, pdf, txt, image files, video files, avi etc. Unsupported files on the iPhone such as .avi can be transferred and stored on selected apps but not played. So which apps do what? I'll start with the most basic choices.

Mighty Docs 0.8
A simple way to access your GoogleDoc files using the iPhone.
Mighty Docs logs into your GoogleDoc's account allowing you to view documents, forms and spreadsheets in the cloud. Unfortunately even in the new update MightyDocs doesn't allow you to view GoogleDoc Presentations within the app.

It gives you the ability to upload documents from your Mac/ Desktop to GoogleDocs and then access them using the MightyDocs app.  It is elegantly basic and only used to access word documents, forms and spreadsheets.


Mighty Docs Supports: Access to GoogleDocs; SpreadSheets, Forms and Word Documents
Security Options: No security at all. Since MightyDocs keeps your Google account logged in permanently, your documents could be compromised easily
Desktop Client: Must have GoogleDocs account
OS compatibility: OSX, Windows and Linux
Price free


Media Share 1.0
Media Share available from Brancipator, allows you to share limited media between devices. Media Share uses a file server called TextGuru. The app claimed you could also gain access through a web browser however that did not work for me.

Files are dropped into the TextGuru file server and then appear in the "pictures" or "video" folders. Files will only appear in the "Shared Media" folder when you "Share file" To "Share File" simply touch the blue arrow to the right of your file. You will then be given an option to "Share File" Now your devices will be able to view the pictures and videos you put in the "Shared Media" folder.

File types are limited as Media Share only supports selected pictures and video files and no audio.  Dragging files into the file server on your Mac/ Desktop to share them is inconvenient.  iPhones can only see each other's "Shared Media" folder and do not have access to your Mac/ Desktop files.

Media Share can only be used on a WIFI connection.
Media Share Supports: M4V, MOV, MP4, MPV, 3GP, PNG, TIFF, TGA, and JPG files
Security Options: Turn transfers ON or OFF
Desktop file server client: TextGuru
OS compatibility: OSX and Windows
Priced at .99. Regular 2.99


iStorage 1.0.4
This app uses 3 protocols; FTP, Web DAV or MOBILEME idisk. WIFI access is required to connect to Mac/ Desktop. iStorage mounts your iPhone to the Mac/ Desktop as a sharable volume. Drag and drop files into the volume on the Mac/ Desktop. With iStorage you can edit your text files or view images, play movies, music, read documents or pdf's. "iPhone" icon displays Documents, Photos and Camera. "Network" allows you view your servers.

Within iStorage's "Web Browser" it gives you the ability to download files from the web, however it doesn't seem to support anything but bookmarks.
The app consistently crashed when testing file downloads from the web browser. Add your Mac/ Desktop as a server in the Settings.

iStorage Supports: jpg, .tiff, .gif; Microsoft Word; doc a .docx ; .htm a .html (web sites); iwork ; Keynote, Numbers, Pages); .pdf (Adobe Acrobat); (Microsoft Word) ppt .pptx ; .txt (Microsoft Excel).xlsx, .xls
Security Options: Standard
Desktop Client: N/A
OS compatibility: OSX, Windows and Linux
Priced at $5.99


AirSharing 1.0.2
Uses http and WEB dav to connect to your Mac/ Desktop
AirSharing mounts to your Mac, Windows and Linux Desktop.
In addition to mounting AirSharing as a wireless disk, you an also view AirSharing files through Bonjour.

The "WIFI" icon within the app provides you the IP address to connect to the volume from a computer.  Users can connect to the shared volume by using the provided address and port number.
AirSharing limits file access to the shared volume, and iPhone to iPhone is not supported. The App doesn't detect devices and you can't view desktop files. Again you are required to use the desktop to transfer files.  As you read on, there are better file transfer apps with more functionality for less money.



AirSharing Supports: iWork documents, Microsoft Office documents, excel, xmls, html, web archives, rich text documents ,pdf, cc files
, standard video, audio and image files on the iPhone.

Security Options: Turn on require password and after entering a user name and password your private data will be protected.
Setup public folder as Guest access or disable sharing all together.
Desktop Client: Not necessary.
OS compatibility: OSX, Windows and Linux
Priced at $6.99

DropCopy 1.3
If you're a Mac user with an iPhone or an iPod touch then DropCopy can be used to transfer files wirelessly between devices.  iPhone to iPhone or iPhone to Mac. DropCopy uses a desktop client which is displayed on your Mac's Desktop.  It requires you to drag files into the desktop clients "drop zone" to send files from Mac to iPhone.

To bring up a list of options tap the circle in the middle of the screen displaying the quick task menu allowing the options of transferring files, getting clipboard or sending a message. After selecting an option you will need to choose a custom destination and enter your Mac's ip if the app hadn't detected the device. iPhone to iPhone detection is automatic on the same WIFI network.

To transfer files from one iPhone to another both users must have DropCopy running in order for the app to work. DropCopy will search out "local destinations" (devices), displaying the number of available destinations.



DropCopy stores your files in four categories; Doc's, PDF's, Images and Audio.
Just tap to access files which can be viewed in a fullscreen Quick-View. Although the iPhone doesn't support files such as .avi, you can still store and
transfer the unsupported file type using this app. DropCopy app has a sleek GUI and connecting to your other devices is easy and the ability to send
text messages is neat.

Unfortunately you cannot access your desktop's files.  While DropCopy supports many file formats it doesn't allow you to view spreadsheets or excel documents.  Also, when transferring large files from iPhone to iPhone there is noticeable lag in comparison to BriefCase.

DropCopy Supports:.avi, mp3, mov, pdf, most video, audio and image formats, txt, Doc
Security Options : Turn transfer approval ON or OFF
Desktop file server client: DropCopy
OS compatibility: OSX
Priced at $4.99


Briefcase 1.0
View all of your Mac/ Desktop files from your iPhone. Transfer files and receive files iPhone to iPhone or iPhone to Mac/ Desktop. Although Briefcase supports Windows it claims that you would require a moderatley high level of technical experience to get it running.

Briefcase detects devices on the WIFI network and connects with ease. It doesn't require you to create a new server or input the ip address of the devices to connect. Within the app you have four icons; Connect, Get File, Files and Activity. First, connect to the device locally or remotely. A remote host can also be added in the "Connect" option. The "Get File" option displays the files and folders on your Mac/ Desktop. Tap on a file and quickly download the file to the files" folder titled here as Briefcase Files.

In Briefcase Files you will see a green briefcase to the right of each file. If you see a blue circle instead, you are not connected to a device. Tap on the green briefcase and upload the file to the desktop, downloads folder or choose a destination folder on your desktop.From this screen you can also open or view the file on your Mac/ Desktop which will make the file open up on the remote desktop screen.

To send a file iPhone to iPhone both users must have the Breifcase app open. Use the "Connect" option to choose the device, then go to your Briefcase files and click the green Briefcase next to the file. It will then give you the option to upload to: Briefcase. Do so, this will make the file avialable to the other iPhone. Search field to find files. This app is a joy to use and ranks here as the best of the crop in features, elegance and control. Unfortunately I don't know much about it's security, most likely meaning it's deficient. Although if normal security precautions are in play I really recommend Briefcase's flexibility and ease of use. Additionally, Briefcase offers a free Lite version that does a serviceable job, but won't allow iPhone to iPhone transfer.

Briefcase Supports: iWork documents, Microsoft Office documents, excel, spreadsheets, MP3, MP4, MOV, avi, M4v, PDF..etc
Security Options: Secure SSH encripting
Desktop Client: Not necessary ( PC users require SSH set-up)
OS compatibility: OSX and Windows
Priced at $4.99